Things to do in Charleston or Columbia

[lt1fire]

Hey i'm going to be heading into SC tomorrow with the in-laws... we've been going around NC and showing them stuff and I thought it would be nice to go to either charleston or columbia.... which one do you guys suggest and what is the best things to see/do and places to eat in each of them??

 

[35inchoverdrive]

Go to Charleston.
If you come to Columbia, then the highlights would probably be the Riverbanks Zoo, and the shops and restaurants in Five Points.

 

[Brock]

If you make it down here....depending on how many days you have this is what I would do.....


1 Day- Take a horse carriage tour....best way to see a chunk of city and learn some history. Walk the battery and market area....and if got time do the boat ride out to Ft Sumter.

2 Days- Check out the house tours...Broad Street and all the side streets....check out the unique and custom ironwork for the gates. Check out Four Corners......Aquarium and walking tours of historic buildings and sites downtown.

3 Days- Head to Magnolia Plantation and/or Middleton Place Plantations on Hwy61. Also the Audobon Gardens.

4 Days- Check out Boone Hall....go out to Wadmalaw which is site of only tea plantation in united states and is grown specifically for iced tea. Check out Angel Oak tree on Johns Island (named for family name not spiritual angels). Go out to Kiawah public beach or down to Edisto Beach and walk on beach for seashells.

5 Days- Visit antique stores all around town; check time to see if they are having a tattoo at Citadel on parade grounds; Charlestown Landing which is site of first settlers coming to area...reproduction sailing ship afloat at landing site....historic artifacts...natural zoo with boardwalk and current and previous animals indigenous to SC...in natural state...no concrete and cages like regular zoos...woven into natural environment.

Welcome to Charleston....I grew up here and never did any of this stuff until after I got married or came back to live here after 21 years in military.

 

[Carp]

I definitely think you'll have a better time Charleston that Columbia. I lived in the Chuck for 4 years, and it was awesome. Brock's list is pretty much all encompassing. You can also check out Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant (aircraft carrier, historic planes, etc.) Also, you've got Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. Pretty much can't go wrong in Charleston.

Good luck!

 

[Turkeypen]

While I agree that Charleston is THE place to go, Columbia is a great second choice. In addition to the Zoo and Five Points, I would recommend the following:

1. Take a tour of the USC campus. Very pretty up on the old horseshoe.

2. Tour the state capitol building and grounds. Lots of history there including still visible holes where Union cannonballs hit.

3. Go to the Vista for some night life and antique stores.

4. Tour the historic buildings and churches immediately surrounding the capital.

I know some folks don't like Columbia, but I have had some of the best weeks of my life in that town.

In this photo, don't forget to ask how Washington's cane was broken and WHY it has not been repaired.

 

[lt1fire]

Thanks for all of the responses.... we were only planning on going for one day, today, but that is now canceled because the bank just accepted our offer on a house and we have to go sign papers...... I'll be looking into charleston in the future though

 

[boombapslappy]

Don't forget Rock Hill!!!

Columbia is a great day trip. I-77 will get you there in less than two hours.

Charleston is a much better option for a long weekend. There's just too much to do and see (and it'll take you twice as long to get there) to make it a day trip.

Have fun! And, congrats on the house!

 

[IndianDoc]

If you make it down here....depending on how many days you have this is what I would do.....


1 Day- Take a horse carriage tour....best way to see a chunk of city and learn some history. Walk the battery and market area....and if got time do the boat ride out to Ft Sumter.

2 Days- Check out the house tours...Broad Street and all the side streets....check out the unique and custom ironwork for the gates. Check out Four Corners......Aquarium and walking tours of historic buildings and sites downtown.

3 Days- Head to Magnolia Plantation and/or Middleton Place Plantations on Hwy61. Also the Audobon Gardens.

4 Days- Check out Boone Hall....go out to Wadmalaw which is site of only tea plantation in united states and is grown specifically for iced tea. Check out Angel Oak tree on Johns Island (named for family name not spiritual angels). Go out to Kiawah public beach or down to Edisto Beach and walk on beach for seashells.

5 Days- Visit antique stores all around town; check time to see if they are having a tattoo at Citadel on parade grounds; Charlestown Landing which is site of first settlers coming to area...reproduction sailing ship afloat at landing site....historic artifacts...natural zoo with boardwalk and current and previous animals indigenous to SC...in natural state...no concrete and cages like regular zoos...woven into natural environment.

Welcome to Charleston....I grew up here and never did any of this stuff until after I got married or came back to live here after 21 years in military.

And the hunley and the Aircraft carrier at the point. Dang the list can go on and on. I'm still finding wonderful things in the lowcountry. Come on down, Oh yes it is a drinking town with a historical problem. But that's ok.

 

[Brock]

While I agree that Charleston is THE place to go, Columbia is a great second choice. In addition to the Zoo and Five Points, I would recommend the following:

1. Take a tour of the USC campus. Very pretty up on the old horseshoe.

2. Tour the state capitol building and grounds. Lots of history there including still visible holes where Union cannonballs hit.

3. Go to the Vista for some night life and antique stores.

4. Tour the historic buildings and churches immediately surrounding the capital.

I know some folks don't like Columbia, but I have had some of the best weeks of my life in that town.

In this photo, don't forget to ask how Washington's cane was broken and WHY it has not been repaired.

you left out 5-Points.

 

[scott johnson]

and the vista

 

[Turkeypen]

you left out 5-Points.

No, I didn't leave out Five Points or the Vista. Read closer grasshoppers . . . "In addition to . . . Five Points . . . ." & "3. Go the the Vista . . . ."

 

[Brock]

hahahaha what was that one bar called? near lexington..mm TWIN PEAKS?